When it comes to Christmas trees and the environment, there may still be a debate between real vs. artificial trees, but there is no debate about this: If you have a real Christmas tree in Vancouver, you should recycle it.
Not only do recycled Christmas trees reduce holiday waste, they are turned into reusable compost that provides valuable soil nutrients. Groups that recycle the trees also make thousands of dollars for charity via money and canned-food donations. (So don't forget to "tip"!)
Tip: Trees must be cut (not potted) and without any adornment--so take off all tinsel and lights!
Charity Christmas Tree Recycling - Recycling by Donation
>Lions Club Christmas Tree Recycling
January 5 - 6, 2013
Locations:
- Kerrisdale Community Ice Rink parking lot (East Boulevard north of 41st Avenue)
- Kits Beach parking lot (Cornwall and Arbutus Street)
- Sunset Beach upper parking lot (Pacific Boulevard and Broughton Street)
- RONA Home and Garden Grandview Store (2727 East 12th Avenue - overflow parking lot south of 12th Avenue)
Christmas Tree Recycling at UBC Botanical Gardens
December 26, 2012 – January 9, 2013
Location: UBC Point Grey Campus
City Recycling - Drop-Off Depots
For drop-off fees of $1 - $2, you can drop off your tinsel-free Christmas tree at these location:
For more details: City of Vancouver Holiday Trash Collection
Curbside Recycling
Until January 31, 2013
Vancouver households have a few options for curbside pick-up: If you are a curbside yard debris subscriber, you can cut down your tree (with all non-organic components removed) and fit it into your yard debris cart for free pick-up. If you have only garbage pick-up, your tree can be removed curbside for the cost of an additional garbage pick-up ($3.50 - $7.08, depending on your location).
For more on Christmas in Vancouver, see the Vancouver Christmas Guide.
